Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder, (ASD), effects 1 in 59 children in United States (CDC). It is generally diagnosed at few years of age when language, social skill difficulties and repetitive behaviors become evident
Treating Autism with Stem Cells began after Duke University in 2005 onwards performed a series of studies in children with cerebral palsy. Several papers were published thereafter demonstrating that Stem Cell therapy in cerebral palsy yielded significant improvements in the treatment group versus the control group. This led to treatment of other neurodevelopmental disorders with Stem Cells including the much more common autism
Dr. Kurtzberg’s team at Duke launched their first autism clinical trial in 2014 treating children with their own cord blood (NCT02176317). The published results showed significant improvements on the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale (VABS) as well as clinician-measured scales. Improvements were much better in children that started with a non-verbal IQ at or above 70. Panama Stem Cell Institute also conducted a trial in 2015 and published similar results in June 2019.
Autism spectrum disorder children usually have heightened immune system activity and neuro-inflammation in the brain effecting neural connectivity in the brain. There is evidence that stem cells can improve the overall regulation of the immune system and the neural connectivity in the brain. Stem Cells with their unique capability of differentiating and multiplying repair the damage and or deficit to improve the child’s condition.
Note: Stem Cell therapy for autism is still an experimental treatment that is under research. Individual responses vary and may even be related to the Stem Cell dose. At time it is not certain if patient may need follow-up treatment and how often.